In light of the restrictions imposed on media organisations by the Indian Premier League, former India captain Kapil Dev hinted that the fourth estate should not cover the Board of Control for Cricket in India's multi-million dollar venture if the curbs are not lifted.
"If they (IPL) don't want, don't cover it," Kapil told reporters in Panchkula, Haryana, on Friday night on the sidelines of the first final of the Indian Cricket League's Twenty20 tournament between Lahore Badshahs and Hyderabad Heroes.
Kapil's comments came when mediapersons asked him about accreditation norms put forward by the IPL, though he went on to add that it was "unfair" for him to pass "judgment for somebody else".
"As a cricketer, I wish them luck," said Kapil, the chairman of the ICL's Executive Board.
He hit out at the BCCI for allegedly bending rules when it "suits them".
Kapil said many players in the Indian Test side, flouting the Board's own rules, were busy attending various launches in connection with the IPL, which starts its first Twenty20 championship later this month.
Kiran More, another senior ICL functionary, said the Indians looked jaded in the Ahmedabad Test.
"How many turned up for the net practice session tells the story. The players were already too tired by attending the launches," More claimed.
Meanwhile, asked if the ICL is progressing as per plans, Kapil said he would tour smaller cities this summer to hunt for talent.
"When we started the ICL, we had not thought we would face so much opposition [from cricket boards] and, at the same time, we had never imagined that we will get so much support from the public and even the media.
"Today, I am happy to note that media friends from Pakistan, too, are here to cover the event," he said.
Asked if the ICL has plans to rope in new players, Kapil said it is an ongoing process and added that some players, who have not been performing, may not be included.
"We are learning. Teething problems are there but we are ready to face them. Our aim is to give chances to youngsters, which we are committed to," he said.
Lamenting that cricket boards around the world banned players featuring in the ICL, Kapil said, "I want to ask a question. Are we not promoting cricket?
"Should we not feel happy that we have so many players from Pakistan playing in our League? Will it not help to further improve ties between the two nations? But when somebody says ban these players, something is definitely wrong somewhere," he said.
Kapil said there is nothing wrong in having "differences of opinion", which will only help to improve the game.
"But nobody should behave like a dictator or impose his will."
